From Middle English convent, variant of covent, from Old French covent, from Latin conventus, perfect participle of the verb convenio (whence ultimately convene), see con- + venio.

• (RP) IPA: /ˈkɒn.vɛnt/, /ˈkɒn.vənt/
• (America) IPA: /ˈkɑn.vɛnt/

convent (plural convents)

1. A religious community whose members live under strict observation of religious rules and self-imposed vows.
2. The buildings and pertaining surroundings in which such a community lives.
   • 1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC ↗:

     One seldom finds in Italy a spot of ground more agreeable than ordinary that is not covered with a convent.

3. (now especially) Synonym of nunnery, a female religious community and its residence.
4. (India) A Christian school.
5. A gathering of people lasting several days for the purpose of discussing or working on topics previously selected.
6. A coming together; a meeting.
   • 1609, Ben Jonson, The Masque of Queens:

     ...an usual ceremony at their [the witches'] convents or meetings...

• French: couvent
• German: Kloster, Nonnenkloster
• Italian: convento
• Portuguese: convento
• Russian: же́нский монасты́рь
• Spanish: convento

• Portuguese: convento
• Russian: монасты́рь
• Spanish: convento

• Portuguese: convenção
• Russian: съезд

From Latin convenio (past participle conventus), whence also convene; so of the same ultimate origin as Etymology 1.

• IPA: /kənˈvɛnt/

convent (convents, present participle conventing; simple past and past participle convented)

1. (obsolete) To call before a judge or judicature; to summon; to convene.
   • 1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act V, scene i], line 52:

     Tomorrow morning to the Council board
     He be convented.

2. (obsolete) To meet together; to concur.
   • 1613–1614, William Shakespeare, John Fletcher, “The Two Noble Kinsmen.”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC ↗, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):

     We convent nought else but woes

3. (obsolete) To be convenient; to serve.
   • c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act V, scene i], line 379:

     When that is known and golden time convents.

1. A census-designated place/parish seat in St. James Parish, Louisiana.